Alaia Skyhawk: Well, THAT got a lot of excited responses, and a few of the expected uncertain ones. For those worried about how the addition of Hiccup and co will affect the story, be at ease. They're in for one arc, and maybe a couple of minor cameos later on. Think of it as like how I've had Sophie as the central theme of the current arc. The Hiccup and Astrid cameo gives me characters you all know well to use while exploring the "Isolated Tribe of Myth learns about the modern world" scenario. I could have done it with OCs, but it's more fun this way. It's basically also my nod to the fandom, so this story won't be going in the crossovers section (also since it's been technically a crossover since FFnet added "Guardians of Childhood" to the Book section about 5 months after I started this fic) Hehehehe.

People were already used to looking for this in the ROTG section, so I decided to just keep it there rather than have people wonder if it had been taken down :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Rise of the Guardians, the Guardians of Childhood, or any related characters etc. This story is written purely for entertainment purposes.

~(-)~

Chapter 101: Ascension

"Dang it, Toothless! Stop jumping around like that, or you'll tip me overboard!"

Hiccup clung to the rail as his dragon made a huge fuss about getting settled on the forward deck. The Night Fury was fidgeting around, shuffling about, and just generally being a deliberate nuisance in mock protest at the unsociably early hour. And it was very early, in fact it was still dark. Dark enough that the black dragon was barely visible at all, just out of range of the lantern hanging on the side of the mast. But if they were going to get away without being stopped, they had to go now.

While this was going on, Astrid had finished shoving the boat to send it the last of the way into the waves. Something Hiccup would have struggled at doing, with the false leg that replaced his left from the knee down-over, tending to sink much further into the wet sand than his intact right foot.

As soon as the boat was afloat she then jumped aboard. Elbowing Hiccup to get him to pick up one of the oars.

"Stop whining and start rowing. We've got three hours until sunrise, and if we don't want to be caught by your dad, we need to get to that sea cave two islands south of here."

Hiccup grabbed his oar, starting to haul on it in time with hers.

"I know, I know. I was the one who told you about the cave. Remember? Don't worry, they'll never find us there. With Stormfly deliberately hiding, and Toothless here, Dad will assume we flew north to practice stunts at the Misty Monoliths like we've done in the past. He doesn't even know I have this boat."

Astrid nodded at that, admitting the point.

"He's still going to freak out, when Stormfly returns to the island in four days with our letter."

"Couldn't be worse than the way he acted last day of Dragon Training, back when he hated dragons." Hiccup winced at the memory. "I don't think he could ever be that angry at me ever again. Going off on insane adventures is a perfectly normal pastime for a young Viking like me. He'll get over it when we get back."

Now far enough out into the sea, the two of them put away the oars and hoisted the sail. They were between tides, so there shouldn't be too much trouble. But if there was, they'd brought a hefty rope to use as a tow-line so Toothless could get them moving again.

It wasn't long before they were cruising southwards at a steady pace, with the eastern sky eventually starting to brighten some hours later. They'd passed the first island, and the second came into view as the first glimpse of the morning sun crested the horizon.

Watching it, Astrid sighed.

"I never get tired of watching that, sappy as it sounds. Although everything looks a lot different from down here."

Hiccup leaned on the rail beside her, Toothless peering above their heads.

"Yeah, we usually do this by air. Sailing is only good for fishing or trade these days." He smiled. "Still, it looks like it's going to be a nice clear day, with a good wind. A pity we'll be spending most of it in that cave."

Astrid started to nod, but then frowned and pointed upwards.

"Are you sure about the clear sky? Because that looks like a storm to me."

All three of them were looking upwards now, to where grey clouds had formed directly above them and were grumbling with thunder. What came next was completely unexpected... The shrieking wail of a Night Fury flying at full speed, a flash of lighting, and then a sight to defy all logic.

A chariot pulled by a Night Fury was streaking towards them, skimming directly overhead before a figure landed on the prow of the ship. And the sight of that figure made both of them stumble backwards, Hiccup stuttering as his mind put a name to the man before them.

"O-Odin."

Odin was rarely seen by the Vikings, but they had enough pictures and carvings of him to recognise him on sight. And right now, he did not look pleased. In fact he was pretty much glaring at them.

"I, Odin, do not approve of this."

While Hiccup remained paralysed, Astrid put on an awkward smile.

"This? We're just sailing to visit some friends."

Hiccup broke from his stupor and glanced at her. His tone bland.

"Astrid, he's Odin. Do you really think he's going to believe that?"

She shrugged.

"It was worth a try."

Odin's voice interrupted them, radiating displeasure.

"Sailing to the mainland is folly, and quite impossible in such a small boat."

Hiccup groaned, Toothless fidgeted nervously under that glare, and Astrid scowled. Still stubborn.

"You're forbidding us to try?"

There was a pause as the immortal regarded her in silence, and then he answered.

"To attempt it would be extremely foolish. Is it your desire to return home after your journey? To go back to your families?"

From behind Astrid, Hiccup nodded.

"...Yes."

Odin gestured to the sky, calling back his chariot.

"Then turn back now."

He leapt back into it despite the impossible speed from the Night Fury that pulled it. He then disappeared back up into the sky, which cleared almost immediately after he vanished from view.

Hiccup, Toothless, and Astrid watched him go. The latter grumbling under her breath before nudging the young man beside her.

"So what do we do?"

Hiccup slumped in defeat.

"What he wants us to do... Go back." He headed for the tiller, taking hold of it and pointing ahead. "We can hide the boat and fly back on Toothless. Least that way we can go take the letter off Stormfly and make it look like we actually did what we wanted them to think we'd done. A lecture from Odin is enough. I don't want another from my dad."

Astrid, muttering in frustration, came over and nudged him from his seat.

"Here, let me do that. I think Toothless needs you more right now."

His attention directed to the dragon, who still kept glancing up at the sky, Hiccup went to him. Giving his friend a hug of reassurance before murmuring into the side of his scaly neck.

"It's not fair. Everything was going perfect, and then he had to spoil it by telling us to go home."

Toothless snuggled against him, grumbling in similar disappointment. Unaware of the odd look that had suddenly come upon Hiccup's face as the young man realised something.. All Odin had done was make sure they knew he wasn't happy about their plan and disproved of it. He hadn't once ordered them to go back, or forbidden them from continuing.

It was something that would remain in Hiccup's mind after the return to Berk. The teenager mulling over the implications for the weeks to come.

~(-)~

Summer had arrived and the day had been clear, as the various guests both normal and esteemed began to filter in the art studios that were temporary gallery for the works of this year's graduates. Different sets of rooms held different forms of art, from drawings, to photography, to sculpture. But by far the most prestigious rooms this year were those of the painters. Specifically the one where a selection of artworks by Sophie Bennett were on display.

Sophie greeted each individual who came over, her smile feeling as though she'd frozen it onto her face from the number who had already approached and those still waiting their turn. It didn't help that the six paintings she'd chosen for tonight were also the ones everyone wanted to see. The five smaller ones of the homes of the Guardians, and the large mural of the Guardians themselves. At least half the discussions in the room were about those paintings, and both they and Sophie were part of the reason for some of the exceptional guests.

Such as Marcia Hiller, two members of her team, and a representative from the White House. In fact Marcia was hanging around, slipping in to talk to Sophie whenever the flow of people to greet her had dwindled momentarily. It was enough for the young woman to wish Marcia would just go away and be sociable with someone else for a while.

A wish she got, when one very welcome guest entered the room and strode over much to his sister's delight.

"Jamie!"

The young wizard laughed when he was swamped by a hug, before slinging his arm around her shoulders and guiding her towards her paintings.

"I think Uncle Jack has competition in the art department. Will any works by S Bennett be going up for auction soon."

Sophie nudged him in the ribs, falling into the same sibling teasing they'd always done. Just as if it hadn't been months since she'd last seen him.

"Not these ones, no chance of that. I've already promised them to the Burgess Museum. Dad would very annoyed if I sold them."

The two of them stopped before the large mural. A glance from Jamie sending Marcia off to talk to someone else. He'd been in enough meetings with her over the past three years, for her to have gained a healthy respect for his authority. Of all the Bennetts, he was quickly becoming the most influential.

As soon as Marcia was talking to another of the graduates, Jamie sighed almost wistfully.

"Ah for the quiet days again, the slower pace of life. I really can't wait for things to start settling down, but there still so much to do." He gave her a sidelong smile. "But at least you'll get that, at the Warren. Easter prep isn't anywhere near as frenetic as some of the events I've been to."

Sophie smirked, eyebrows raised.

"Then you've never seen it the two days before Easter, during the final tally-count and checks. Bunny never stops still for even a moment, and keeping up with him is hard work."

"But you enjoy it, and that makes the difference."

Sophie lowered her voice, lest any of the guests hear. Although that wasn't likely, given the general noise in the room.

"Had some tough meetings? Has anyone been mistreating you?"

Jamie grimaced, then shrugged.

"No more than should be expected, and the people who give me hassle quickly realise they're wasting their time. But I'll admit my breaks to Santoff Claussen have always been welcome. Mine and Ombric's lessons on Etheric Theory, from Tsar Lunar, are a great distraction."

That piqued Sophie's interest, as Jamie stepped away from her to take a closer look at the painting of Jack.

"So what is it like?"

She joined him beside the painting, and he started to smile in enthusiasm.

"A lot of it's quite simple, if you've already mastered Belief Magic. The hardest parts to make sense of are how to detect what parts of the Ether your belief is causing to resonate. Ombric sees it in his mind as colours, but when there's too many it breaks his concentration and has to start over. For me, it's like I'm listening to a symphony rather than seeing something in my head."

Sophie's expression lit with curiosity.

"Really?"

Jamie nodded.

"Yeah. I tried it out while near Jack a few weeks ago, and he 'sounds' like woodwind instruments and crystal chimes, playing a sort of upbeat medley. Dig sounds similar, but quieter, and with this really weird offbeat of percussion. Like someone is beating on a tree-trunk with sticks as a makeshift drum. When Sandy stopped by, he sounded like quiet humming and little tinkling bells." Jamie was grinning now. "Even the unused frequencies aren't actually quiet. If I listen really carefully, they're a sort of whisper in the background."

"I wish I could hear that, it sounds so awesome."

Jamie gave her another one-armed hug.

"How about visiting Santoff Claussen when I'm there, and joining in on the lessons. Tsar Lunar won't mind, I'm sure."

Sophie chuckled.

"I think I'll do that. It means I get to bug my big brother more often."

Her brother laughed outright at that, reaching up to ruffle her hair despite her protests. The rest of the evening was spent walking around and admiring the work of the other students, especially those by Alicia. In fact the event went on late enough that when Sophie's alarm clock went off the next morning, she heartily wished she could stay in bed a bit longer.

But she couldn't, because today was her graduation and being late for that was not an option.

Sophie sat up groggily and got out of bed, pausing to throw a pillow at Alicia before getting dressed. Her nightgown went straight into the nearest bag, before she picked up her cellphone and dialled the number Jamie had given her last night.

When he answered, he sounded disgustingly chipper and awake. Causing Sophie to mutter under her breath before responding.

"Jamie, could you get the car sent round? I'll be out front of my dorm in ten minutes for them to pick up my bags and take them to the hotel."

She could hear his mirth when he replied. He'd noticed her grumpy 'just out of bed' tone.

"Sure thing. I'll meet you at the pavilion, at the Old Campus Gardens, just before noon. I'll get the driver to bring a breakfast box round for you and Alicia. The food at this hotel is great."

Sophie smiled at that.

"Thanks, Jamie. I'll see you at the gardens."

When she hung up, a quiet murmur came from the other bed in the room.

"It's morning already?"

Sophie smiled, heading over to yank the covers off her friend.

"Yep, and you'd better hurry and get dressed. Jamie is sending us hotel food for breakfast, and he says it tastes great."

Alicia let out an exaggerated groan of defeat and got up, her nightwear also ending up straight in her bags. Both of them had kept out their outfits for the day, and their graduation robes to wear over that were hung on their closet doors. Alicia too would be going to a hotel tonight, with her parents, before flying home in the morning. Sophie would be going home at the same time via a party at the Warren, and had promised her friend to meet her in Seattle three days from now with one of Bunny's epic chocolate cakes.

Leaving Alicia to finish getting ready, Sophie picked up her bags and set off on the trek downstairs and outside. Once by the road, she didn't have long to wait before a car pulled up and Jamie's current hired driver got out. Marcia had arranged the car, for security reasons, but the Bennett Family were paying for it. Just as well it was only for a few days, and that Jack was the one supplying the funds.

It was with nothing but a good-sized box emanating some delicious smells, that Sophie returned to her room. Alicia was just doing the last checks of her own bags, although that was swiftly interrupted by the arrival of food.

Mid-morning was when Alicia's parents stopped by to get her luggage, before she and Sophie carefully folded graduation robes over their arms, picked up their mortarboard caps, and vacated the room for what would be the last time. A quick snack in a café was their last stop before heading to the Old Campus Gardens, which was where they put their robes on over their clothes and donned the hats. Both were grinning by the time they met up with Alicia's parents and Jamie at the pavilion. The nerves of the day overcome by the sense of excitement at the knowledge they'd soon have their diplomas.

All too soon the ceremony began, and the anticipation made both friends fidget in their place within the group of students waiting behind the stage. The names were being read out alphabetically, meaning Sophie would be called up near the start, and Alicia would be waiting until near the end. But that didn't matter, although it did mean Sophie was the one to begin twitching the most as it got closer and closer to her turn.

She burst into a wide smile where her name was at last called, grinning as Alicia stepped aside to let her past. But just as she reached the top of the stairs onto the outdoor stage, a chorus of screaming suddenly broke out and the people audience began to scramble from their seats in a panicked stampede.

And the reason was the trio of hooded men that had emerged from their hiding places carrying semi-automatic rifles.

Sophie threw herself flat when the guns were pointed her way, the teachers on the stage leaping from the rear of it as the first shots rang out. Moments later she managed to claw her way to the edge by the stairs and roll off to where Alicia stood waiting to help her. The other students had already scattered, leaving the two friends without the protective cover of numbers.

They both turned to run, heading after the other students in the hope of becoming lost amid the chaos. Out front of the stage the people were still stumbling over seats trying to get away, leaving Jamie fighting to get clear without resorting to magic to push people aside. Instead he'd been left little choice between possibly hurting someone, or just hunching down under a small barrier to let the mass clear from around him as precious seconds ticked by. Blinded by the scramble of people around him.

In the meantime Sophie and Alicia were still running when the gunmen came around the corner of the stage and into view. That was when Alicia shoved Sophie into the nearest bush, before turning round and making a throwing gesture.

One of the microphones on the stage flew from its stand and struck one of the men on the shoulder. Swiftly followed by every other small nearby object within Alicia's line-of-sight. But she lacked the ability to throw with any real force, her makeshift missiles little more than an annoyance. One that made the gunmen level their weapons at her and prepare to fire.

Crawling out of the bush, Sophie looked on in horrified realisation that her friend was about to be shot. With no way to save her except one.

Alicia gasped when something small on a long chain struck the side of her face, reaching up to grab in reflex as the world around her was veiled by a misty barrier like particles of ice. The barrier rippled as bullets briefly struck it and dropped uselessly to the floor, before it was her turn to gaze at her friend in horror.

Because Sophie was in the open, arm still outstretched from throwing her protection charm. Time seeming to slow to a crawl as the sound of gunfire resumed and she was thrown off her feet when the bullets struck.

"SOPHIE!"

Alicia wasn't the only one to cry out, for Jamie was now in view behind the gunmen. His eyes wide in denial that quickly changed to rage.

The gunmen turned, taking aim when they recognised him as another member of the Bennett Family, but they didn't get the chance to pull the triggers. Instead the weapons were ripped from their grasp by an invisible force, Jamie's voice rising in incantation even as the very ground beneath the men seemingly turned to liquid and dragged them down. Turning solid around their limbs as they thrashed around in panic, trapping them with their faces barely above the ground.

Jamie didn't waste any time on them, dashing past to where Sophie lay limp in a growing pool of red. That was when Jack arrived from the sky in a blast of shrieking wind, alerted by the activated charm. The sight of Jamie picking up and cradling Sophie, of her closed eyes and deathly pale skin and the sound her brother's desperate cries of denial, it all made Jack go utterly still. The air around him turning frigid and the ground just below him freezing solid. Some of the people who had been running away now crept back, gathering as people do around the fringes of the scene. Several of them shivering at the icy wind now blowing through the Old Campus Gardens despite the summer sun.

Jack's hand clenched on his staff, his gaze snapping to the three trapped men as a wave of fury rose within him. The Spirit of Winter all set to forget the rules and blast them with ice when a startled gasp behind him made him pause.

It came from Alicia, still stood within the shield of the charm, her eyes wide as she gazed at where Jamie and Sophie were.

"She's... She's disappeared. Where? Where is she?"

Jack turned to look, able to see Sophie quite clearly. Jamie had her pulled close, clutched tightly against him as he cried into the shoulder of her graduation robes. Yet Alicia wasn't the only nearby person suddenly unable to see her, for several others were looking confused as well.

That was when hope and suspicion dawned, and Jack flew over to land beside them.

"Jamie, give her to me. I'll take her to help."

The young man lifted his head to look at his uncle blankly for a moment, before the thought that she might still be saved broke through grief and he hastened to his feet.

Jack didn't give him the chance to speak, and instead quickly scooped up Sophie into his arms and flew off with her. Only once airborne did he take the time to look at her.

She was still pale, but the ashen tone was gone. Her clothing was still soaked with blood, and yet through the hole in one of her sleeves he could see the arm beneath was undamaged. But the evidence was there on her skin, the flows of red from a spot where a bullet hole should have been. And then there was the other thing he could sense, now that she was in his arms.

Even if it took a few seconds, his kind always recognised one another for what they were eventually.

Jack conjured a mirror and went through it, emerging at Santoff Claussen with a heart full of mixed emotions. But Sophie was the important one right now, to put her somewhere safe with someone who could explain things. And if Jack bursting into Big Root in the middle of the Siberian night was an inconvenience to Ombric, the wizard said nothing as he arrived in the main room and immediately rushed over when he saw who was there.

"Sophie? Jack, what happened?"

Jack laid her down on the bed that emerged from the nearby wall, his expression unreadable.

"Three of those fanatics showed up at her graduation. When they went to shoot Alicia, Sophie must have thrown her protection charm to her... Then they shot Sophie." Ombric gasped, about to call out for Katherine to get the medicines, when Jack shook his head. "There's no need, not now. Get Katherine to clean her up, and then you two keep her calm if she wakes up before I get back. I'll explain then, but first I need to go speak to Tsar Lunar."

Jack stepped outside and went into the annexe of Big Root where the two ice mirrors were. He ignored the one to the Workshop, and instead went through the one to the dome on the moon. When he arrived, Tsar Lunar was already stood waiting for him.

It was now that Jack became aware of the blood on his clothing, when Tsar Lunar banished it with a small gesture and then waited patiently for the Guardian to speak.

Jack regarded him for a long moment, before speaking very quietly.

"Sophie's become an immortal."

Tsar Lunar nodded solemnly.

"I know."

Jack frowned a little.

"But I don't get the same 'vibe' off her as every other immortal I've met."

The Tsar shook his head.

"You wouldn't."

Silence fell again, Jack hesitating before he asked.

"Was it you who changed her?"

Tsar Lunar regarded him with a tilt of his head, and one again shook his head.

"No, it was not. She is subtly different because it was a different Constellation that changed her."

"But you're the only Constellation here."

Even as Jack said it, he knew he was wrong. The answer was already there, he already knew it even as Tsar Lunar spoke.

"...Not anymore, it seems." He walked over to Jack, placing a hand on the Guardian's arm. "Desperation and denial can be powerful catalysts, to one who has potential. Dredging forth capabilities that lie within, waiting to be discovered."

Jack took a shuddering breath, his suspicions now confirmed.

"Jamie... Bunny was right, that the potential was there."

Tsar Lunar faced the roof of the dome, to gaze at the world far below. There was the smallest smile on his face.

"Yes... A new Constellation has ascended, and despite the terrible circumstances that triggered it, this is still a great thing. Because every Constellation there is, will mean a brighter future for the Golden Age. And also because of this, a life has been saved that would have been lost. A life given in a moment of self-sacrifice, much as you did. Sophie Bennett will live on in her new role... as the first immortal created by her brother."

~(-)~

Alaia Skyhawk: (grins) I don't think I need say more lol :)